Lafayette, IN vs Mishawaka, IN

Lafayette, IN and Mishawaka, IN have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.8% difference in their overall index. Lafayette scores 76 while Mishawaka scores 75 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Lafayette is $1,039/month compared to $1,041/month in Mishawaka — a 0% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Lafayette has cheaper rent, Mishawaka actually has lower median home values ($140,600 vs $157,600).

Median household income in Lafayette is $52,946 compared to $53,120 in Mishawaka (-0.3%). Mishawaka offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Lafayette spend roughly 23.5% of their income on rent, less than the 23.5% in Mishawaka.